Page 32: of Marine Technology Magazine (June 2012)

AUV Arctic Operations

On April 22nd, 2010, a light morning mist rolled across the surface of the water as the six Port of Seattle Police Divers pre- pared for their routine security search of the cruise ship docks. The cruise season would be starting in a few days and Coast Guard security requirements included an underwater inspec- tion of the berthing area. The divers knew the area well, and while their previous searches revealed ample aquatic life, they had never found anything that constituted a security threat. Lead by Dive Sergeant Pat Addison, the team slipped into the familiar water of Elliott Bay and began their routine sweep. Usually Puget Sound has limited visibility, especially around the active piers of Smith Cove. This morning may have been a bit different. Maybe the water was clearer, maybe there was a rare shaft of Seattle sunlight, but something caught the eye of one of the divers. Partially buried in the silt just off the south end of the pier in 40 feet of water, there was a dull glint of metal and a shadow; not a rock and too smooth to be a log, it was deÞ nitely machine tooled. Closer inspection revealed a long, missile-shaped object partially buried in the silt. It was to be the proverbial tip of the iceberg. Cruise Ships and WWII Munitions Don?t Mix By Kathleen Gleaves Port of Seattle Police Dive Team members suiting up for a routine surveillance dive in Elliott Bay, Puget Sound. Photo Credit: Kathleen Gleaves June 201232 MTRMTR #5 (18-33).indd 32MTR #5 (18-33).indd 325/31/2012 10:03:19 AM5/31/2012 10:03:19 AM